In the event of a military threat, the main thing is to keep calm and follow instructions, says an expert – Politika

May 10, 2024 – Although in general there is currently a lot of discussion about the field of civil defense in the event of a military threat, as well as seminars on this field are organized, public interest and demand for this type of lectures is consistently high, says a security and resilience expert. Vitalijs Raksiņš, guest lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management of Riga Technical University (RTU). He explains that public awareness of the action in different scenarios is very important to maintain peace in potential crisis situations.

A guest lecture “Civil defense in the event of a military threat” was held at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management (IEVF) of RTU. In the lecture, security and resilience expert Vitalijs Raksiņš shared his knowledge with interested parties.

A new vision – ensuring the continuity of various functions

“Continuity of operations is currently a hot topic both in Latvia and in the Nordic countries – it is a relatively new vision, where in civil defense the focus is on the continuity of critical functions (information, state administration functions, including universities, etc.),” ​​said lecturer V. Raksiņš. He explained that, in fact, it is a transition from the model of protection of physical objects to the fact that “we can organize various administrative functions from another physical location, with other personnel, etc.”.

“If we are prepared for the worst scenario, it will be much easier to survive the crisis if a system is created to organize the operation of various functions even in such conditions,” said the security and resilience expert.

In the absence of information, various theories flourish

Evaluating the field of civil defense from the system point of view, this field is organized in Latvia, and the main challenge is how to implement it in real operation. “In order to successfully implement these principles of civil protection in life, people, members of society must be informed about the potential action in the event of a military threat, at the same time, without revealing the nuances of state secrets,” says V. Raksiņš, emphasizing that it is very important to tell the citizens in a timely manner what what the country expects of them in the event of a crisis, and what they can do to improve national security.

Currently, people’s interest is high, and even in regional cities, residents look at the existing threats quite realistically, says the security and resilience expert. At the same time, he emphasizes that it is important to be informed, to be maximally prepared, but this certainly does not mean that panic or anxiety should be sown.

“The availability of information about civil defense is important, especially because there is a high interest in it. If people do not have information on what to do in the event of a military threat, or it is not given, then something else fills the information field – theories, conspiracies, assumptions, etc. Lithuania, Scandinavian countries, etc. do the same in terms of informing the public. and this awareness is part of national defense,” explained the guest lecturer of the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management of RTU.

The most important thing in a crisis is to keep calm

“No matter how banal it is, the first recommendation to do in a crisis situation is to try to keep calm, to act adequately. That is why it is important to take different lessons and play out different scenarios,” explains V. Rakstiņš.

He explained that the involvement of each member of the society can be different, for example, if a person is “critical personnel” (works in the public service, police, etc.), then the task is to continue working until another order is expected. There are still some people who, for example, are ready to join the armed forces. “Nevertheless, most people in such a situation should be guided by the indications given in the national news, TV, radio. If there is an opportunity, it is necessary to continue working, to continue economic activity, so that the country is not paralyzed, despite the fact that hostilities are taking place in some territories,” said the expert, also pointing to the example of Ukraine, where despite hostilities in other territories, electricity and water supply interruptions , people continue to work.

“It also raises general morale, reduces panic – it is important to do something. In Ukraine, those who could not physically protect the country continue to take care of the country in a different way,” said V. Raksiņš.

“The opponent cannot achieve the effect that the population is demoralized, cannot sow panic, etc. Accordingly, the adversary, by causing interruptions in electricity and water supply, fails to achieve its goal – to create chaos. This resilience on the part of the population is also a significant contribution to national security, along with the ability to help fellow human beings, etc. measures,” said the security expert.

Temporary evacuation – different for different groups of society

When asked whether, by continuing the continuity of operations, people’s desire to leave the country in a crisis situation could harm its security, the expert explains that here, too, it is necessary to distinguish between groups of society. “There are categories of population that are subject to mobilization, and then their movement outside the country may be difficult. Among these people can be those working in state institutions, men in their prime, and, for example, doctors. On the other hand, short-term care for elderly people, disabled people, women with children, etc. evacuation, can facilitate the defense of the country”, explains V. Raksiņš.

In this matter, too, one must be guided by the guidelines given by the state, and the instructions will depend on the specific moment and scenario of the crisis.

Institute of Management and Security – leadership in the field of civil defense and security

The guest lecture “Civil defense in the event of a military threat” was organized by Māris Ziemelis, associate professor of the Institute of Management and Security, Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, RTU.

Since January 1, 2024, the Institute of Management and Safety has been established at the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management, with the faculty assuming knowledge leadership in the field of civil defense and safety.

Since 2006, the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management has been implementing the second-level professional higher education study program “Fire Safety and Civil Protection”, which is studied by officials of the State Fire and Rescue Service. Also, the study course “Civil Defense” is being implemented for all RTU students.

The mission of the Faculty of Engineering Economics and Management of RTU is to prepare internationally recognized, highly qualified specialists in the field of economics and business, to promote the growth opportunities of scientists and teaching staff and to provide competitive, career- and well-being-promoting multi-level education, moreover, to achieve this by using the latest technologies and innovations, creating a modern, professional a development-promoting working environment for students, teaching staff and faculty employees.

Department of External Communication of RTU